The cast of "Houston Beauty" a new reality show on OWN based in Houston's century-old Franklin Beauty School.

The cast of "Houston Beauty" a new reality show on OWN based in Houston's century-old Franklin Beauty School.

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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A mannequin head sits in a dryer at Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school has owned and operated by the Franklin family since 1915. It is run by Ron Jemison, Sr. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

A mannequin head sits in a dryer at Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school has ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Glenda Jemison poses with her husband Ron Jemison, Sr. and their sons Sean and Ron Jemison, Jr. with the 1915 founders of Franklin Beauty School, J.H. Jemison, and his mother Madam N.A. Franklin and Abbie Jemison on the wall Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school has owned and operated by the Franklin family since 1915. It is run by Ron Jemison, Sr. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Glenda Jemison poses with her husband Ron Jemison, Sr. and their sons Sean and Ron Jemison, Jr. with the 1915 founders of Franklin Beauty School, J.H. Jemison, and his mother Madam N.A. Franklin and Abbie ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Mia Ryan, a member of the cast of "Houston Beauty" sits for a portrait at the Franklin Beauty School in Houston. Houston Beauty follows the Franklin Beauty School, the oldest in beauty school in Texas. less

Mia Ryan, a member of the cast of "Houston Beauty" sits for a portrait at the Franklin Beauty School in Houston. Houston Beauty follows the Franklin Beauty School, the oldest in beauty school in ... more

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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The cast of "Houston Beauty"

The cast of "Houston Beauty"

Photo: Oprah Winfrey Network

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Ms. Eley leads the group prayer at the beginning of the day at the Franklin Beauty School.

Ms. Eley leads the group prayer at the beginning of the day at the Franklin Beauty School.

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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Shawana Adams works on the hair of a mannequin during class at Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school has owned and operated by the Franklin family since 1915. It is run by Ron Jemison, Sr. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Shawana Adams works on the hair of a mannequin during class at Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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The cast of "Houston Beauty" stands in prayer.

The cast of "Houston Beauty" stands in prayer.

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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Queensley stands for a portrait at the Franklin Beauty School.

Queensley stands for a portrait at the Franklin Beauty School.

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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Detail of hairstyle drawings on the wall of Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school has owned and operated by the Franklin family since 1915. It is run by Ron Jemison, Sr. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less

Detail of hairstyle drawings on the wall of Franklin Beauty School, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Houston. Franklin's is the subject of a new TV reality series, Houston Beauty, on Oprah's OWN network. The school ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Queensley (left) and Mia Ryan (right)

Queensley (left) and Mia Ryan (right)

Photo: Brandon Thibodeaux / Oprah Winfrey Network

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5 reasons to see OWN's 'Houston Beauty' reality show

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FINALLY, Houston’s beauty industry and one of its legendary schools gets a chance to shine big this week.

The new reality series, “Houston Beauty,” premieres 9 p.m. Saturday on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. It features Franklin Beauty School, which has been family owned and operated since 1915.

Run by the tough-love matriarch Glenda Jemison (who everyone calls “Ms. J”), the school is a place where drama and dreams collide into a fascinating story about overcoming obstacles, getting along (or not) and doing hair. Ms. J runs the school with husband Ron Jemison Sr., who is the CEO; and sons, Ron Jemison Jr. and Sean Jemison, who serve as vice presidents.

The series (eight episodes total) was filmed in 2012 over a 12-week period. Although I haven’t seen an episode yet, I’ve spent time with Ms. J, her family and her students at the school, which is located at 4965 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I’m touched by the story: an African American family business surviving nearly 100 years and thriving, and their passion for helping talented (and sometimes troubled) students realize their potential.

“At the end of the day, all the students are trying to better themselves,” says Sean Jemison.

Among the motley cast of real students on the show is Houston native Queensley Felix, 26, a self-described “kitchen-tician” who does hair in her home kitchen and enrolled in the school to “become legit.” She’s also lives with her mother and disabled brother, and is the family’s struggling bread winner. “I wasn’t used to a loving family environment. I didn’t think people cared so much,” she said about her experience on the show.

Other students on the show include the transgender Mia Ryan, 27, who was a born male and lives as female,and Neil Cain, a 21-year-old white, gay man who moved to Houston three years ago from his native Wyoming to escape sexual discrimination.

So, here are 5 reasons to watch “Houston Beauty”:

Franklin Beauty School is a Houston institution and one of the oldest beauty schools in the country.

Ms. J is not just a cosmetology expert and the school’s owner and director, but mother to all.

Like any hair salon (regardless of ethnicity), there is drama. We’re likely to get a good dose of it in every episode.